Lateral and longitudinal shoe stretcher



Sept. 21, 1954 J. KOSKELA 2,689,355

LATERAL AND LONGITUDINAL SHOE STRETCHER Filed July 20, 1951 3Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. JOEL KOSKELA Sept. 21, 1954 J. KOSKELA2,689,365

LATERAL AND LONGITUDINAL SHOE STRETCHER Filed July 20, 1951 3Sheets-Sheet 2 VENTOR, JOEL KosKELA Arman/5y p 21, 1954 J. KOSKELA2,689,365

LATERAL AND LONGITUDINAL SHOE STRETCHER Filed July 20, 1951 3Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. JOEL KOSKELA Patented Sept. 21, 1954 UNITEDLATERAL AND LONGITUDINAL SHOE STRETCHER Joel Koskela, New York, N. Y.

Application July 20, 1951, Serial No. 237,7 64

8 Claims. -1

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a shoestretcher and proposes certain improvements in the constructiondisclosed in my prior U. S. Patent No. 2,233,454 granted March 4, 1941.

More specifically, the present invention proposes an improved shoestretcher which is ideal for breaking in new shoes by removing allstiffness and softening the inner sole to conform to the natural shapeof the foot.

Still further, the present invention proposes an improved shoe stretcherhaving various adjustments for accomplishing the following operations ona shoe:

1. Lengthening the shoe.

2. Stretching and widening the toe box and in- The shoe stretcher isdesigned so that any of the above operations can be easily combined in amanner to stretch and widen any part of the shoe.

Another object of the present invention proposes constructing the shoestretcher to include a pair of superimposed complementary blocks forinsertion into the toe box of the shoe with means for spreading theblocks about their interconnected rear ends in a manner to stretch andwiden the toe box.

The present invention further proposes providing the shoe stretcher witha heel piece which functions in conjunction with the superimposed blocksto lengthen the shoe and which is mounted in position in a manner to berapidly brought into position within the heel of the shoe after a whichthe position of the heel piece can be adjusted by a threaded rotativelymounted tube for obtaining the desired tension on the shoe.

Still another object of the present invention proposes providing theupper block with adjustable plates raisable about the pivotally mountedfront end of one of the plates in a manner to stretch and raise theinstep portion of the shoe.

Another object of the present invention pro- Doses p v d g the lowerblock with removably attached side pieces which can be independentlyattached to the sides of the lower block to stretch and shape either theright or the left side of 2 the shoe or which can both be attached tothe sides of the lower block in a manner to stretch the toe box toprovide extra width.

The present invention further provides individual bunion pads which canbe used separately or in various combinations and which can be mountedon the adjustable plates of the upper block or directly on the upperblock when the adjustable plates are not being used for shaping the toebox to accommodate bunions and other toe deformities.

It is a further object of the present invention.

to construct an improved shoe stretcher which is simple and durable,which can be manufactured and sold for a reasonable cost and which iseffective for itsintended purpose.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects andadvantages thereof, reference will be had to the following descriptionand accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which thevarious novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a shoe stretcher of the presentinvention as it would appear in position within the left shoe of a pairof shoes illustrated in outline by the dot and dash lines.

F 2 is a front elevational view of the shoe stretcher.

Fig.3 is a partial elevational view of theshoe stretcher looking at therear side of Fig. 1..

Fig. 4 is a partial plan view of Fig. 1.

Fig. dis a longitudinal sectional view takenon the line 55 of Fi 4.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the mechanism containedbetween the adjacent,

faces of the blocks of the shoe stretcher.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged partial longitudinal sectional view taken on theline l-| of. Fig. 6.

Fig; 7A is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken on the line 1A.1Aof, Fig. 7.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detailed view looking in the direction of the line88 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to a portion of Fig. 8. but showing a differentposition of the parts.

Fig. 10 is a side elevational view of the upper of the blocks with theupper plate shown inlongit'udinal section. V

Fig. 11 is a plan view of the lower block with one of the sidepiecesremoved and with a portion of the view shown in section.

Fig. 12 is an inside elevational view of one of the side pieces; per se.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged partial longitudinal sectional view taken on theline |3-|3 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14: is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the heel piecetaken on the line M-J l of Fig. 1.

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 14, but showing a different positionof the parts.

Fig. 16 is a longitudinal sectional view of the heel piece takensubstantially on the line 16-48 of Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is an enlarged sectional view through the bunion pad takensubstantially on the line ||l'| of Fig. 1.

Fig. 18 is a view similar to Fig. 17, but showing several bunion pads ina stacked position.

Fig. 19 is a bottom perspective view of one of the bunion pads, per se.

Before proceeding with the description of the shoe stretchenit is to beunderstood that they are constructed in pairs for use in each of theshoes of a pair of shoes with the stretcher blocks suitably shaped foruse in ladies, mens or childrens shoes. On the drawings, there isillustrated a single stretcher of a pair of stretchers shaped for use ina ladys shoe. The stretcher illustrated is the left one and it isappreciated that the right one would be similarly constructed withappropriate parts of opposite hand to conform to the right shoe of thepair.

The shoe stretcher, according to the present invention, includes abottom block 28 upon which there is superimposed an upper block 2|. Theblocks 20 and 2| are molded of any desired light metallic alloy, but ifdesired could .be cut from hardwood or other materials. The adj aoentfaces of the blocks-20 and 2| are formed with wedge hollows 22, seeparticularly Fig. 5. The wedge hollows are elongated longitudinally ofthe blocks 20 and 2| and are located substantially midway of the frontand rear ends of the blocks.

Rearward of the wedge hollows 22, the superimposed blocks 29 and 2| areformed with vertically extended aligned holes 23 which are convergedaway from the meeting faces of the blocks. A vertically extended stud 24has its opposed end portions extended into the holes 23 so as to retainthe blocks 20 and 2| against relative longitudinal movement. The holes23 are somewhat larger than the end portions of the stud 24 so that theblocks, 2!] and 2| are free for slight movement relative to each otherand with relation to the stud 24. Extended rearward from the stud 24,there is a tubular extension 24 integral with the stud and concentricwith a hole 25 formed in the stud. intermediate of its ends. The hole24' ofthe stud2 iand theinterior of its tubular extension 24 areprovided with a continuous interior thread, see particularly Fig. 7.

Extended through the stud 24 and its tubular extension 24 there'is anelongated shaft 25. The front end of the shaft 25 is provided withthreads matching the internal threads of the stud 24 and its tubularextension Z t so that as the shaft is turned in one direction or theother the shaft will be moved longitudinally. Fixedly mounted on therear end of the shaft '25 there is a handle 26, see Figs. 1 and 2, bywhich the the shaft can be conveniently turned in one direction or theother. The front end of the shaft 25 extends from the stud 24 andcarries a wedge 21 which is positioned within the wedge hollows 22, seeFig. 5. The wedge 21 is frustoconical in shape, is molded of metal andhas a recess 28 extended in from its fiat rear face,

4; see Figs. 5 and 7. Positioned within the recess 28 against the basewall of the recess 25 there is a free floating ball 29. The front end ofthe shaft 25 is extended into the recess is and abutted against the ball29, as best shown in Fig. 7. Within the recess 28, the shaft 25 isformed witha reduced neck portion 3%. The wedge '2": is retained inposition on the front end of the shaft 25 by means of spaced pins 3|which pass through the recess 28 of the wedge on opposite sides of thereduced neck portion with the ball 29 functioning as a bearing betweenthe inner end of the shaft 25 and the base wall of the recess 28. Withthis construction, the wedge 2'! is universally mounted leaving theshaft free for independent rotation and at the same time leaving thewedge2l free to adjust its position with relation to the ball portion23.

As the shaft 25 is turned to thread itself inward, the wedge 21 is movedforward between the adjacent faces of the blocks 29 and El. The wedge 21is positioned in the wedge hollows .22 which have their adjacent facesconverged forwardly so that as the wedge 21 is moved forward the blocks'20 and 2| are caused to move apart. Rearward movement of the wedge 21frees the blocks 2c and 2| to move together.

Lock means is provided for connecting the rear ends of the blocks 2eand2| together to provide a fulcrum about which the blocks will move apartas the wedge 2'! is moved forward. The blocks are shaped to be extendedinto the toe box of a shoe, indicated in outline by the dot and dashlines 32 on Fig. 1, so that as the front ends of the blocks 2:: and 2|are moved apart about their connected rear ends, the toe box will bestretched.

The lock means for the rear ends of the blocks 20 and 2| ischaracterized by a locking member 33, see particularly Figs. 5 and 7 to9, which is rotatively positioned on the tubular extension 2d of thestud 24. The locking member has, on diametrically oppositesides, latchelements 3d which are directed in opposite directions. Extendedrearwardly from the latch elements 3 i there are lugs 35 by which afinger grip can be had on the locking member 23 for turning the same inone direction or the other.

The rear ends of the blocks 2e and 25 are hollowed out to receive thelocking meme 3 5, see Fig. 5, and each of the blocks within its hollowedout portion is formed with a keeper element 365. As in the case of thelatch elements 34, the keeper elements 36, see Figs. and 9, are directedin opposite directions. Contacting faces of the latch elements 3t andthe seep-er elements 36 are cam shaped to ride over one another so as todraw the rear ends of he blocks 26 and 2| together when the lockingmember is turned to its locked position shown in 8. However, there issufficient looseness in the fit of those interengaged parts to permitthe blocks '20 and 2| to move away from each other about their connectedrear ends.

Arcuately shaped springs sec mediate of their ends on the out ments 3%engaged by the latch eleme ts 3d, are

formed with inwardly extended hook portions as. The hook portions engagethe latch elements 3 in the closed position of the lockin member 33shown in Fig. 8, to retain the latch elements in engagement with thekeeper elements 36. However, by grasping the locking member 33 by thelugs 35 it can be turned in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed inFig. 8 to move the outer faces of the latch elements 34 past the hookportions 39 to the position shown in Fig. 9. In that position, the latchelements 34 are completely disengaged from the keeper elements 35 andthe top block is free to be lifted off the lower block 2!. To reassemblethe block 23 and 2| the above procedure is reversed.

Fitted into position over that portion of the shaft which extendsrearward from the rear end of the tubular extension 24 of the stud 24,there is an externally threaded tube All. .The tube is considerablyshorter than the shaft 25 and is formed at its front end with a reducedportion 40 forming an outwardly extended flange 4| of the same externaldiameter as the tubular extension 24 The flange 4| has its front faceresting against the rear end of the tubular extension 24 see Fig. 7. Acollar 42 encircles the rear end of the tubular extension il and thefront end of the tube 40. The collar 42 is secured to the tubularextension 24 by several pins 43 extended radially inward from oppositesides of the collar. At its rear end over the reduced portion 40 of theshaft 40, the collar 42 is formed with oppositely disposed slots 42. Ametal band 44 is forced through one of the slots 42 and engaged aboutthe reduced portion 40 of the tube 45 behind the flange 4| rotativelyconnecting the tube to the collar 42.

In Figs. 7 and 7A the thicknesses of the ports is somewhat exaggeratedbut their relationship is shown. Thus, the collar 42 functions torotatively connect the tube 40 to the rear end of the tubular extension24 and to maintain the locking member 33 rotatively in position upon thetubular extension.

The tube 40 is free to be rotated in one direction or the other relativeto the tubular extension 24 and relative to the shaft 25. As in the caseof the shaft 25, the rear end of the tube 46 is pro vided with a handle45, see Figs. 1 to 3, by which the tube lii can be conveniently turnedin one direction or the other.

Adiustably positioned on the tube 49 between the collar M and the handle45, there is a heel piece 45. The heel piece i6 consists of a metallicblock 41 formed at its front end with a depending portion -S which hasits rear face rounded to conform to the shape of the heel portion ofshoes within which it is to be fitted. ,The front face of the dependingportion 48 is formed with a recess 48, see Fig. 3, for reducing themetallic mass and so lighten the heel piece 46. The block 4? is formedwith a longitudinally extended passageway 5% which is unthreaded andthrough which the tube 40 has a sliding fit, see Fig. 16. Between itsends, the top of the block 41 is formed with a cutout 5| which exposesthe threaded top porexpansion springs located on opposite sides of thetube. The bottom ends of the springs 55 are extended into holes 58formed in the top face of the block 47 and the top ends of the springsare extended into holes 5'! formed in the bottom face of the latch block52. The springs 55 urge the latch block 52 upward against the inner faceof the roof wall 53 disengagin the threads of the latch block from thethreads of the tube 40 leaving the heel piece 45 free to be slid to thedesired position along the length of the tube 46.

Means is provided for retaining the latch block 52in lowered operativeposition against the action of the springs 55 so that the heel piece 46can only be moved along the length of the tube ll] by rotating the same.The latch block retaining means comprises an elongated rod 58 of alength corresponding to the length of the metallic block t1 and which isrotatively supported between the upstanding end portions of the block 4?and the roof wall 53. Extending radially from the rod 58, there is anelongated handle 59 which projects through a laterally extended slot 55formed in the roof wall 53. Intermediate of its ends, the elongated rod58 is formed with a cutout 66, see Figs. 14 to 16, which is on the sideopposed to the handle 59 and which is of a length sli htly greater thanthe length of the latch block 52. When the handle 55 is in the loweredposition shown in Fig. la, the rounded side of the rod 58 bears againstthe top face of the latch block 52 and retains that latch block loweredagainst the action of the springs 55. On the other hand, when the handleis raised to the vertical position shown in Fig. 15, the rod 58 isturned to a position in which its out out Si is aligned with the latchblock 52 freeing the same to be urged upward by the springs 55. In thatposition, the threads of the latch block 52 will be disengaged from thethreads of the tube 55 so that the heel piece is free to be slidalongthe length of the tube to the desired position at which the heel pieceit is to be located in the heel of the shoe. The latch block 52 is thenlowered against the action of the springs 55 to engage the threads ofthe tube 40 so thatfihal adjustments of the heel piece 56 within theheel of the shoe 3?. is accomplished by turning the tube 49 by means ofthe handle, 45. Adjustments of the heel piece 45 within the heel of theshoe 3?: will force the superimposed blocks 25 and 25 into position inthe toe box to lengthen the shoe.

As shown in Fig. 16, a coil spring 62 is engaged I about a reducedportion 58 of the rod 58. The

tion of the tube 40 where it passes through the passageway 55. Slidablyfitted in the cutout 5! for vertical movement, there is a latch block 52which has a threaded bottom face to fit over the top of the tube 40 inthreaded engagement therewith, as shown in Fig. 14, requiring rotationof the tube to move the heel piece 46 along the length of the tube.

The latch block 52 is retained in position within the cutous 5! for therequired vertical sliding movement by a roof wall 53 which has dependingside portions secured to the block 4'! at the upstanding end portionsthereof by screws 54.

The latch block 52 is moved upward out of engagement with the threads ofthe tube 40 by coil spring 62 is under tension and has one end securedto the reduced portions 58 and its other end anchored to the material ofthe block 4? turning the rod 58 to the positionin which it holds thelatch block 52 in its lowered operative position shown in Fig. 14.Positioned at the side of the heel piece 45 opposed to the side fromwhich the handle 59 extends, when in its laterally extended positionshown in Fig. 14, there is an inverted U-shaped handle 63. The bottomends of the U-shaped handle 63 are mounted in position by the samescrews 54 which secure the adjacent side of the roof wall 53 inposition. By simultaneously gripping the handles 59 and 63 and squeezingthe handle 59 toward the handle '63 against the action of the spring 62,a convenient grip is provided for moving the rod 58 to its inoperativeposition shown in Figs. 15 and 16 in which the latch block 52 is freedto be urged upward by the springs 55. Immediately as the grip on thehandles 59 and 63 is released, the coil spring 62 will turn the rod 58back to its starting position shown in Fig. 14.

The top face of the upper block 2| is cut away at its front end toaccommodate the front edge of an instep plate 64 which is curvedlaterally to extend across the top face of the block 2|. The front endof the instep plate 64 is pivoted to the upper block 2! by means of aloose nut and bolt assembly 65, see particularly Fig. 5. At its free reaend, the instep plate 6 4 is provided with a pivotally mounted latchlever 66 having an intermediate portion extended pivotally through aslot 81 formed in the instep plate 64. Above the slot '37, the latchlever 66 continues into a curved handle portion 66 by which a grip canbe had for lifting the instep plate 64 about its pivoted front end. Thelatch lever 66 at the bottom face of the instep plate 64 is formed withlaterally extended shoulders 66', see Fig. l, which engage the materialof the instep plate 64 at the ends of the slot 5? holding the latchlever 66 from being pulled upward through the slot 6'5. The top face ofthe upper block 21 beneath the instep plate S is formed withtransversely extending notches 38 with which the free end of the latchlever 55 is selectively engageable for holding the instep plate Ed invarious raised positions about the pivoted front end of that plate. Whenthe latch lever 66 is disengaged from the notches 68, the instep plate64 can be laid fiat against the top face of the upper block 2| with thelatch lever in position between the adjacent faces thereof. In itsvarious raised positions, the instep plate 61 5 will function to stretchand widen the instep of the shoe 32 independent of any other adjustments made to the shoe.

Provided for use in connection with the instep plate fie, there is anarched plate 69 which extends across the entire width of the instepplate 5 and from the front end of the upper block 2 l to the rear edgeof the instep plate. At its rear end, the arched plate 69 is formed witha transverse slot if! by which the arched plate 59 can be hooked inposition over the free end of the handle portion 66 of the latch lever66. With the arched plate 59 in position, raising of the instep plate idwill cause the arched plate 69 to assume an inclined position betweenthe front end of the upper block 2! and the top edge of the instep plate64. tion, the toe box of the shoe willbe stretched simultaneously withwidening and stretching of the instep of the shoe. However, the archedplate 69 can be removed, when it is not to be used, by lifting its frontend while moving the rear end along the handle portion 66 to slip theslotted end of the arched plate off the free end of the handle portion65* of the latch lever 66.

Bunion pads H are provided for use with the arched plate 6a or for usewith the instep plate t l and upper block 2|, when the arched plate 53is not being used, for deforming the side walls of the toe box of theshoe 32 to accommodate bunions or other toe deformities. The bunion padsH are hollow elliptically shaped members formed of metal and having pins12 molded into their hollow faces and extended from the open sidesthereof. Adjacent the pins 12 each pad ii is formed with a hole 13. Thefront end of the upper blockfl, the front end portion of the instepplate 54 and the front end portion of the arched plate 69 are formedwith holes 5 -5 with which the pins 12 of the bunion pads H can beselectively engaged, as shown in Figs. 17 and 18.

The arrangement of the holes 14 is such that Thus, with the arched plateto in posithe pads H can be positioned at the desired position withrelation to the portion of the toe box of the shoe Which is to bedeformed. Each shoe stretcher is provided with a group of bunion pads llof different circumferential sizes for selective use or for use incombination with each other as shown in Fig. 18. The bunion pads ll whenused in combination are stacked with the largest one located immediatelyadjacent the stretcher and in diminishing size outward therefrom. Thepin E2 of the lowermost pad "ii is engaged with the respective hole 14of the respective part of the shoe stretcher and the pins 12 of theoutermost pads I! are engaged with the holes "E3 of the underneath pads.When several of the bunion pads are stacked extreme deformation of thetoe box is achieved to provide for extremely large, troublesome bunions.

Extended along the sides of the bottom block 2%, there are side pieces13 constructional details of which are shown in Figs. 11 to 13. Each ofthe side pieces '53 molded of metal and shaped to fit snugly against itsrespective side of the bottom block 29. Inwardly-of the sides of theside walls of the bottom block 2%, there are recesses M, along oppositesides of the respective wedge hollow 22, see Fig. 11, which divide offupstanding side walls 55. Each side wall is v formed with a spaced pairof holes 16 and The inner face of each side piece it is formed with afixed hook which extends into the respec tive hole it. The hooks F3 areof tapered con-- struction with their ends adjacent the side pieces '53of the same Width as the respective holes "5?: so as to hold the sidepieces ES against longitudinal movement relative to the bottom block 23.

Rearward of the hooks 78, the inner faces of the side pieces 13 areformed with cutouts 1'9, see Figs. 12 and 13, which open to the rearends of the side pieces l3. Positioned within the cutout 19, there areelongated arms at which are pivotally supported at their front ends onpins 8| mounted across the cutouts it at the front ends thereof.Extended laterally inward from the inner faces of the arms so, there arehooks 32 which are passed through the holes ii and engaged with thematerial to the side walls $5 at the front ends of the holes ii. Theholes H are large enough to admit the free ends of the hooks 82 and topermit the required forward movement of the side pieces 73 as controlledby the engagement of the hooks '18 with the holes it.

The free rear ends of the arms continue into grip portions 83 whichextend from the open rear ends of the cutouts 19 and by which the arms86 can be pivoted to disengage the hooks 82 from the material of theWalls "5 to free the side pieces 13 to be removed when desired. The arms89 are resiliently retained in their operative position by means ofsprings 85 positioned in the cutouts 19 between the material of the sidepieces 73 defining the outer sides of the cutouts and the adjacent sidesof the arms 35. The springs 85 have the free ends of their arms turnedoutward to engage holes 86 formed in the material of the side pieces andholes 8l' formed in the arms 80 intermediate of their ends and rearwardof the pivot pins 8!.

The front ends of the arms 80 are shaped to provide cams 88, see Fig.13, which are shaped to engage the material of the side pieces 13 at thefront ends of the cutouts 19 to limit the action o the p gs 85 inpivoting the arms 80 outward. Pivoting is limited at the point where thehooks 82 will be engaged with the material of the side walls 15 at thefront of the holes 11, as best shown at the top of Fig. 11. To free theside pieces 13 to be removed, it is merely necessary to pivot the arms'80 outward by means of the grip portions 83 and against the action ofthe springs 85. Such pivotal action disengages the hooks 82 from thematerial of the side walls 15 and frees the side pieces I3 to be pivotedoutward about the front ends thereof withdrawing the hooks 18 from theholes 16 completely disengaging the side pieces.

It is appreciated that the shoe stretcher can be used without either ofthe side pieces 13. If

desired, both of the side pieces 13 can be mounted in position at thesides of the bottom block 20 so as to produce extra width in the shoe 32as the superimposed blocks 20 and 2| are forced into position within thetoe box of the shoe. On the other hand, the shoe stretcher can be usedwith one or the other of the side pieces 13 mounted in position at theside of the bottom block so as to stretch either the right or the leftside of the shoe 32.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of myinvention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to theprecise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to allchanges and modifications coming within the scope of the invention asdefined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A shoe stretcher comprising a pair of superimposed complementaryblocks having aligned said shaft, a locking member freely rotativelymounted on said extension and having latch elements engaging said keeperelements to join the rear ends of said blocks, springs on said keeperelements and engaging said latch elements for retaining said member in arotative position in which said latch elements are engaged with saidkeeper elements, a tube rotatively engaged over the rear end of saidshaft and abutted against the rear end of said extension, a heel pieceadjustably mounted on said tube, and a collar rotatively connecting saidtube to the rear end of said tubular extension and maintaining saidmember rotatively in position on said tubular extension, said heel piecehaving a block slidably positioned on said tube intermediate of itsends, a depending portion on said block shaped to fit in the heel of ashoe, a movably mounted latch block mounted in a cutout in said firstblock and having a threaded surface engageable with external threads onsaid tube, resilient means holding said latch block in a position raisedoff said tube in which said first-mentioned block is free to be slidalong the length of said tube, and manually releasable means for holdingsaid latch block in a position in which its threads are engaged with thethreads of said tube so that said 10 heel piece can only be adjustedalong the length of said tube by turning said tube.

2. A shoe stretcher, comprising a pair of superimposed complementaryblocks having aligned wedge hollows in their adjacent faces, avertically extended stud mounted between the rear ends of said blocksretaining said blocks against relative longitudinal movement, a shaftengaged through said stud intermediate of its ends and having threadedengagement therewith, a wedge rotatively mounted on the front end ofsaid shaft and engaging said wedge hollows for moving said blocks apartas said shaft isturned, a keeper element formed. within a hollow in therear end of each of said blocks, a tubular extension extended rearwardfrom said stud concentric with said shaft, a member freely rotativelymounted on said extension and having latch elements engaging said keeperelements to join the rear ends of said blocks, springs on said keeperelements and engaging said latch elements for retaining said member in arotative position in which said latch elements are engaged with saidkeeper elements, a tube rotatively engaged over the rear end of saidshaft and abutted against the rear end of said extension, a heel pieceadjustably mounted on said tube, and a collar rotatively connecting saidtube to the rear end of said tubular extension and maintaining saidmember rotatively in position on said tubular extension, an instep platearched to extend over the rear portion of said upper last block, a loosenut and bolt assembly connecting the front end of said instep plate tothe front end of said bottom lastblock, and means at the rear end ofsaid instep plate for holding the same in a rearwardly inclined positionrelative to said upper last block, said instep plate holding meansincluding a handle portion extended rearward from the rear edge of saidinstep plate, and an arched plate positioned over said instep plate fromthe front end of said upper block to the upper rear edge of said instepplate, said arched plate having a slot in its rear end by which saidarched plate can be removably engaged in position over said handleportion.

3. A shoe stretcher comprising a pair of superimposed complementaryblocks having aligned wedge means, a threaded shaft rotatably engag ingsaid blocks, a heel piece adjustably mounted on said shaft, a latchblock on said shaft in complementary engagement with said heel piece,resilient means on said heel piece urging said latch block into aposition to be raised off said shaft, and cam means rotatably held onsaid latch block to move said latch block against the force of theresilient means. 1

4. The structure of claim 3, wherein said heel piece and latch blockinclude aligned apertures, said resilient means being retained withinsaid apertures, and a depending portion on said heel piece with a rearface rounded to conform to the shape of the heel portion of a shoe.

5. The structure of claim 3, wherein said heel piece includes alongitudinal passageway to fit around the shaft, and a cut-out in saidheel pie-c said latch block being slidably fitted in the cutout forvertical movement.

6. The combination of claim 5, said longitudinal passageway beingunthreaded and said latch block having a threaded bottom face engagingsaid shaft, requiring rotation of the shaft to move the heel piece alongthe length of the shaft.

'7. The combination of claim 6 wherein the cam means comprises anelongated rod having a cutout surface and an elongated handle, a roofwall 11 secured to said heel piece and rotatably supporting said cam,and a coil spring anchored on said heel piece and engaging said cammeans, to hold the latch block in engagement with the shaft.

8. The combination of claim '7 wherein a U- shaped handle is secured onsaid heel piece and is adapted to be simultaneously engaged with saidelongated handle to assist in overcoming the force of the coil spring torelease the latch block from engagement with the shaft.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberNumber Number 15 7,000

Name Date Mal'mberg Sept. 21, 1909 Bassett July 25, 1911 De Paul et a1Apr. 22, 1924 La Marca et a1 May 7, 1935 Panes Jan. 11, 1938 CirelliFeb. 1, 1938 Koskela Mar. 4, 1941 Gregory Sept. 18, 1945 Rinnela July29, 1947 Galterio Nov; 22, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date GreatBritain Apr, 5, 1895

